Manchester United are heading back to the US on tour this summer - after Jose Mourinho laid down the law to his bosses.

The United hierarchy, led by executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, had planned to return to China for their pre-season tour.

But Mourinho insisted on going back to the States - where United toured last summer - to give his side the ideal preparation for next season when they will aim to push Manchester City for the tite.

United are understood to have agreed in principle to take part in this summer's International Champions Cup (ICC) that will see the Reds play a number of different cities in the US.

Manchester United will be headed back the US this summer (Image: Manchester United)

Jose Mourinho wanted to take his players back to the States (Image: Manchester United)

Mourinho's side took on local rivals City in Houston last summer and the two Manchester clubs are expected to meet again in the States as part of the tournament.

United had planned to visit China and Japan, to appease their sponsors and their millions of fans in the Far East.

But Mourinho was not willing to return to China after United's calamitous pre-season tour there in 2016, when they managed to play just one game.

Mourinho in China where his side don't have happy memories (Image: Manchester United)

United's eagerly-anticipated clash with City in Beijing was called off because of an unsafe playing surface at the Bird's Nest Stadium, while Mourinho was left unimpressed with the organisation and training facilities.

Mourinho and his squad will fly to the US in early July, while those players involved in the World Cup in Russia will be afforded an extended break and will join up for the latter stages of the tour.